RETURN TO NORMALCYUS History: Spiconardi

STARTER Imagine you’re a soldier returning home from

war. What are you going to do now that you’re home? How do you get back to “normal?” What might be difficult about being back on U.S. soil?

RECESSION After the war ended, the U.S. economy entered

a recession Recession a downturn in the economy in

which there is a rise in unemployment and production falls. Reasons

Industrial output dropped, as factories no longer need to produce wartime supplies

Unemployment jumps, as fewer workers are needed in the factories Returning soldiers can’t get jobs

How do you get out of a recession?

RETURN TO NORMALCY Americans craved the pre-World War I days The Election of 1920

Presidential candidate, Warren Harding, promised a “return to normalcy.”

Harding wins as Americans wanted to return to a policy of isolationism, and a booming economy

Let’s us return to normalcy ( )

THE HARDING ADMINISTRATION Pro-business

Lowered taxes on big business and the wealthy Reduce government regulation

Republican Ideology Reduced the role of government Slashed the federal budget

Progressive? Pardoned Eugene V. Debs (who had been jailed

for opposing World War I) Supported anti-lynching legislation, but… Gave his friends and associates political jobs

Fat Cat

THE HARDING ADMINISTRATION The Scandals

The Teapot Dome Scandal Secretary of the Interior, Albert B. Fall, accepted bribes

from two oil executives in exchange for “no-bid” leases on government owned oil reserves Secretary Fall was give a $100,000 interest free loan

and gifts totally over $404,000. Government officials aren’t allowed such gifts

What is this called? Come on, who remembers from our unit on Progressivism? Tammany Hall & Boss Tweed were guilty of this.

Teapot Rock, WY

THE HARDING ADMINISTRATION Scandals

Alien Property Custodian Established after WWI & WWII, this office within the

government oversaw the administration, seizure, and sale of enemy (German) property within the US

The head of the office sold German property and kept the profits for himself.

Veteran’s Bureau Scandal The head of the Veteran’s Bureau sold hospital

supplies for a fraction of their costs in exchange for kickbacks

Also awarded contracts to build new veteran’s hospitals in exchange for kickbacks.

THE HARDING ADMINISTRATION No evidence that he ever knew of the

scandals or profited from them “"I have no trouble with my enemies, but my

damn friends, they're the ones that keep me walking the floor nights!“

President Harding died of a heart attack in 1923

Harding died a very popular president. He is one of two presidents to be survived by his father. Can you name the other?